REID'S NEW GOLDEN GATE FUNERAL HOME - Milwaukee Obituary:
Gloria Gene Massey transitioned from this earthly life at the age of 72 on February 11, 2020. Gloria was known to close family and friends as Dena, to her grandchildren as Gram, and to her children as Mom. No matter the name, Gloria was a treasure that will be greatly missed.
Gloria was born on October 9, 1947 in Pittsboro, Mississippi to the late James and Mary Glaspie. Around the age of 10, Gloria's parents, like many African-Americans from the south, chose to move north for better opportunities; first, to Russell Road, near the Wisconsin and Illinois border, and later to Zion, Illinois. Gloria attended Newport Elementary School and Zion-Benton High School.
Gloria accepted Christ at an early age, at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Roosevelt Tart. She remained a faithful and devoted member of Ebenezer serving many years on the Mother's board, leading efforts with BTYF (Baptist Training Youth Fellowship) and teaching Sunday School. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. John McBride, Gloria initiated a rally to increase Sunday School attendance; as a result, an annual teacher's award was established in Gloria's name, and she was the first award recipient. Gloria's lifelong commitment to Ebenezer stemmed from her family being deeply rooted in the founding of Ebenezer.
Gloria met Curtis Lee Massey at the skating rink while he was hanging out with his friend, Gloria's brother Jessie Earl Glaspie. A skating lesson eventually led all the way to Curtis and Gloria getting married and settling in Zion, IL to raise their family.
As her children grew older, Gloria decided to return to school to complete her G.E.D., finishing first in her class and receiving special recognition. Completing this educational milestone stirred Gloria's dream of sharing her love for cooking with others by starting a catering service, Dena's Delightful Catering. And while she never officially started the catering business, she served many delicious meals for many family gatherings and informal happenings around the Lake County area. Aside from cooking, Gloria also kept busy sewing and gardening while cherishing time with her sister Gloria Dell, and "like a sister" family members, Ruth Glaspie, Joanne Glaspie, Robbie Myers, Jean Pratt, and Martha Williams.
Gloria worked many years in Food Services at Abbott Laboratories where she was energized by the daily conversations with her customers at the AP52 café as they enjoyed a break with Gloria the Coffee Lady; and her co-workers there became part of her family too. Gloria's children always appreciated the pure exchange of joy witnessed whenever Gloria ran into her co-workers in the Lake County area, even years after retirement.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Curtis, after whose departure from this world she said life was just not the same; as well as her parents, James and Mary Glaspie, and brother, Jessie Earl Glaspie.
Left to cherish Gloria's memory are her loving children Janet (Joe) Butler, James (Olivia) Massey, Joy (Rodney) Singleton and Charles Harris; one granddaughter, Jasmine Massey; two grandsons, Jordane Harris and Marcellus Singleton II; one sister, Gloria Dell (George) Lewis; Goddaughter, Gloria Gene Myers; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ruth Glaspie, Virginia Massey, Everlena Massey, Irene Massey, Lorene Massey, Cleveland Massey, Leonard (Ann) Massey, and Wesley (Catherine) Massey; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Gloria Gene Massey transitioned from this earthly life at the age of 72 on February 11, 2020. Gloria was known to close family and friends as Dena, to her grandchildren as Gram, and to her children as Mom. No matter the name, Gloria was a treasure that will be greatly missed.
Gloria was born on October 9, 1947 in Pittsboro, Mississippi to the late James and Mary Glaspie. Around the age of 10, Gloria's parents, like many African-Americans from the south, chose to move north for better opportunities; first, to Russell Road, near the Wisconsin and Illinois border, and later to Zion, Illinois. Gloria attended Newport Elementary School and Zion-Benton High School.
Gloria accepted Christ at an early age, at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Roosevelt Tart. She remained a faithful and devoted member of Ebenezer serving many years on the Mother's board, leading efforts with BTYF (Baptist Training Youth Fellowship) and teaching Sunday School. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. John McBride, Gloria initiated a rally to increase Sunday School attendance; as a result, an annual teacher's award was established in Gloria's name, and she was the first award recipient. Gloria's lifelong commitment to Ebenezer stemmed from her family being deeply rooted in the founding of Ebenezer.
Gloria met Curtis Lee Massey at the skating rink while he was hanging out with his friend, Gloria's brother Jessie Earl Glaspie. A skating lesson eventually led all the way to Curtis and Gloria getting married and settling in Zion, IL to raise their family.
As her children grew older, Gloria decided to return to school to complete her G.E.D., finishing first in her class and receiving special recognition. Completing this educational milestone stirred Gloria's dream of sharing her love for cooking with others by starting a catering service, Dena's Delightful Catering. And while she never officially started the catering business, she served many delicious meals for many family gatherings and informal happenings around the Lake County area. Aside from cooking, Gloria also kept busy sewing and gardening while cherishing time with her sister Gloria Dell, and "like a sister" family members, Ruth Glaspie, Joanne Glaspie, Robbie Myers, Jean Pratt, and Martha Williams.
Gloria worked many years in Food Services at Abbott Laboratories where she was energized by the daily conversations with her customers at the AP52 café as they enjoyed a break with Gloria the Coffee Lady; and her co-workers there became part of her family too. Gloria's children always appreciated the pure exchange of joy witnessed whenever Gloria ran into her co-workers in the Lake County area, even years after retirement.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Curtis, after whose departure from this world she said life was just not the same; as well as her parents, James and Mary Glaspie, and brother, Jessie Earl Glaspie.
Left to cherish Gloria's memory are her loving children Janet (Joe) Butler, James (Olivia) Massey, Joy (Rodney) Singleton and Charles Harris; one granddaughter, Jasmine Massey; two grandsons, Jordane Harris and Marcellus Singleton II; one sister, Gloria Dell (George) Lewis; Goddaughter, Gloria Gene Myers; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ruth Glaspie, Virginia Massey, Everlena Massey, Irene Massey, Lorene Massey, Cleveland Massey, Leonard (Ann) Massey, and Wesley (Catherine) Massey; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
REID'S NEW GOLDEN GATE FUNERAL HOME - Milwaukee Obituary:
Gloria Gene Massey transitioned from this earthly life at the age of 72 on February 11, 2020. Gloria was known to close family and friends as Dena, to her grandchildren as Gram, and to her children as Mom. No matter the name, Gloria was a treasure that will be greatly missed.
Gloria was born on October 9, 1947 in Pittsboro, Mississippi to the late James and Mary Glaspie. Around the age of 10, Gloria's parents, like many African-Americans from the south, chose to move north for better opportunities; first, to Russell Road, near the Wisconsin and Illinois border, and later to Zion, Illinois. Gloria attended Newport Elementary School and Zion-Benton High School.
Gloria accepted Christ at an early age, at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Roosevelt Tart. She remained a faithful and devoted member of Ebenezer serving many years on the Mother's board, leading efforts with BTYF (Baptist Training Youth Fellowship) and teaching Sunday School. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. John McBride, Gloria initiated a rally to increase Sunday School attendance; as a result, an annual teacher's award was established in Gloria's name, and she was the first award recipient. Gloria's lifelong commitment to Ebenezer stemmed from her family being deeply rooted in the founding of Ebenezer.
Gloria met Curtis Lee Massey at the skating rink while he was hanging out with his friend, Gloria's brother Jessie Earl Glaspie. A skating lesson eventually led all the way to Curtis and Gloria getting married and settling in Zion, IL to raise their family.
As her children grew older, Gloria decided to return to school to complete her G.E.D., finishing first in her class and receiving special recognition. Completing this educational milestone stirred Gloria's dream of sharing her love for cooking with others by starting a catering service, Dena's Delightful Catering. And while she never officially started the catering business, she served many delicious meals for many family gatherings and informal happenings around the Lake County area. Aside from cooking, Gloria also kept busy sewing and gardening while cherishing time with her sister Gloria Dell, and "like a sister" family members, Ruth Glaspie, Joanne Glaspie, Robbie Myers, Jean Pratt, and Martha Williams.
Gloria worked many years in Food Services at Abbott Laboratories where she was energized by the daily conversations with her customers at the AP52 café as they enjoyed a break with Gloria the Coffee Lady; and her co-workers there became part of her family too. Gloria's children always appreciated the pure exchange of joy witnessed whenever Gloria ran into her co-workers in the Lake County area, even years after retirement.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Curtis, after whose departure from this world she said life was just not the same; as well as her parents, James and Mary Glaspie, and brother, Jessie Earl Glaspie.
Left to cherish Gloria's memory are her loving children Janet (Joe) Butler, James (Olivia) Massey, Joy (Rodney) Singleton and Charles Harris; one granddaughter, Jasmine Massey; two grandsons, Jordane Harris and Marcellus Singleton II; one sister, Gloria Dell (George) Lewis; Goddaughter, Gloria Gene Myers; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ruth Glaspie, Virginia Massey, Everlena Massey, Irene Massey, Lorene Massey, Cleveland Massey, Leonard (Ann) Massey, and Wesley (Catherine) Massey; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Gloria Gene Massey transitioned from this earthly life at the age of 72 on February 11, 2020. Gloria was known to close family and friends as Dena, to her grandchildren as Gram, and to her children as Mom. No matter the name, Gloria was a treasure that will be greatly missed.
Gloria was born on October 9, 1947 in Pittsboro, Mississippi to the late James and Mary Glaspie. Around the age of 10, Gloria's parents, like many African-Americans from the south, chose to move north for better opportunities; first, to Russell Road, near the Wisconsin and Illinois border, and later to Zion, Illinois. Gloria attended Newport Elementary School and Zion-Benton High School.
Gloria accepted Christ at an early age, at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Roosevelt Tart. She remained a faithful and devoted member of Ebenezer serving many years on the Mother's board, leading efforts with BTYF (Baptist Training Youth Fellowship) and teaching Sunday School. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. John McBride, Gloria initiated a rally to increase Sunday School attendance; as a result, an annual teacher's award was established in Gloria's name, and she was the first award recipient. Gloria's lifelong commitment to Ebenezer stemmed from her family being deeply rooted in the founding of Ebenezer.
Gloria met Curtis Lee Massey at the skating rink while he was hanging out with his friend, Gloria's brother Jessie Earl Glaspie. A skating lesson eventually led all the way to Curtis and Gloria getting married and settling in Zion, IL to raise their family.
As her children grew older, Gloria decided to return to school to complete her G.E.D., finishing first in her class and receiving special recognition. Completing this educational milestone stirred Gloria's dream of sharing her love for cooking with others by starting a catering service, Dena's Delightful Catering. And while she never officially started the catering business, she served many delicious meals for many family gatherings and informal happenings around the Lake County area. Aside from cooking, Gloria also kept busy sewing and gardening while cherishing time with her sister Gloria Dell, and "like a sister" family members, Ruth Glaspie, Joanne Glaspie, Robbie Myers, Jean Pratt, and Martha Williams.
Gloria worked many years in Food Services at Abbott Laboratories where she was energized by the daily conversations with her customers at the AP52 café as they enjoyed a break with Gloria the Coffee Lady; and her co-workers there became part of her family too. Gloria's children always appreciated the pure exchange of joy witnessed whenever Gloria ran into her co-workers in the Lake County area, even years after retirement.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Curtis, after whose departure from this world she said life was just not the same; as well as her parents, James and Mary Glaspie, and brother, Jessie Earl Glaspie.
Left to cherish Gloria's memory are her loving children Janet (Joe) Butler, James (Olivia) Massey, Joy (Rodney) Singleton and Charles Harris; one granddaughter, Jasmine Massey; two grandsons, Jordane Harris and Marcellus Singleton II; one sister, Gloria Dell (George) Lewis; Goddaughter, Gloria Gene Myers; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Ruth Glaspie, Virginia Massey, Everlena Massey, Irene Massey, Lorene Massey, Cleveland Massey, Leonard (Ann) Massey, and Wesley (Catherine) Massey; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
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